David James has many nicknames; ‘Calamity James’ is the most famous, but with his frequent hairstyle changes titles such as ‘the man with the afro plan’, ‘ginger afro’ and other less witty (yes, they get worse) names have been bandied about as well.
Overall, James is a player who never could be a player, a man who writes well (Observer columnist, Sundays) but is often caught offside, and still is, after his long journey from his early days in Watford to his current status as the ‘not-so-calamity’ James at Portsmouth, a man who can keep us entertained.
David James – a goalkeeper who is more known for his:
- hair (BBC, WhoAteAllThePies)
- support of gay footballers
- propensity to blame computer games for his high-profile keeping errors
than his keeping skills, at least until this season.
He has been one of the best (if not the best) keepers in the Premiership this season, getting the clean sheets record on his side (when you’re almost 37, it’s about time you did something right, don’t you think?) and entertaining us with his new hairstyles.
Because he was dropped, like David Seaman before him, for goalkeeping errors, one wonders exactly why England managers have to drop players AFTER they start playing badly.
I mean, come on, a monkey can do that. What about making a change when you can ‘foresee’ a player making mistakes.
Anyway, thank you Ollie (WHATP) for the pics, made my day, and while you guys are wondering what the fuck this is all about, just see this.
Watching David James against ManU and Aston Villa recently proved that David James is a much better goalkeeper than he has ever been given credit for.
Yes – he has made gaffes – but these days most goalkeepers do – with the ball swerving around so much.
Think he’s the best goalkeeper around for pure talent – some of his saves against Aston Villa – he had not right to even get close to.
Also – when you think of the clubs he’s been at – he is always first choice and always playing – hardly ever injured.
He’s been good value to his clubs and has had a great career – which still has a good few years left if his form this season is any guide.
But yes – he will be remembered for his calamaties – but that’s the way the cookie crumbles (as the saying goes).
Speaking of James and his views on gay footballers, I wonder how he’d feel about gay referees.
Exhibit A: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Js3sT_2641k
Chris – priceless video 🙂 A bit harsh though 😛
I wonder how the supporters felt about having to watch ballet during their football.